The bandit life had its ups and downs, but over time, Stoinis found his place among them. The rough edges of his early days began to smooth out as he learned the ins and outs of the crew, slowly becoming Garrick's favourite. Garrick, with his grizzled beard and scarred face, was a man of few words, but he saw something in Stoinis—a fire that reminded him of his younger self.
One day, Garrick gathered the bandits around the campfire, eyes gleaming with excitement. "We're moving to the forest beside Yinstin, the trade city. Plenty of merchants on the road—time we collected a toll."
The men cheered, some exchanging knowing glances. Stoinis had grown comfortable in the group, and their banter often turned into light-hearted teasing. As they set off through the dense woods, a bandit named Hal, known for his quick wit, joked, "Bet we'll be richer than the King after this trip."
Another, Bronn, chimed in with a laugh, "Richer? Maybe just rich enough to afford a decent bath. Gods know you need it, Hal."
Stoinis chuckled quietly, enjoying the camaraderie. He liked these men—they were tough, but they were his family now.
As they approached the outskirts of the forest near Yinstin, they spotted a commotion up ahead. A group of weaker bandits was attacking a caravan, trying to overpower the soldiers and mercenaries guarding it. Garrick signalled for silence, his voice low. "Looks like we've got company."
The bandits watched from the treeline as the weaker crew managed to corner a few soldiers. "Amateurs," Garrick muttered. "Let's show them how it's done."
With that, they stormed forward, scattering the attacking bandits with ease. Garrick, towering over the others, moved like a predator, his mere presence enough to send the weaker foes running. As one of them scrambled to escape, Garrick called out in a booming voice, "Run back to your holes! You dare prey on merchants? Leave the real work to us!"
The soldiers, battered but alive, stood dumbfounded as Garrick and his crew secured the area. From the carriage, a well-dressed butler stepped out, bowing deeply in gratitude. Following him was a young girl, clearly the daughter of someone important—her fine clothes and dignified bearing stood out against the rugged backdrop.
The butler spoke with an air of formality, "How can we express our gratitude, sirs? You've saved us from a grim fate. We owe you our lives."
Before Garrick could respond, Stoinis, now fifteen, stepped forward with a confident smirk. "If you're that grateful, then pay us," he said boldly. "We did protect you, after all. Let's say… a hundred gold pieces. We won't charge much from a lady."
The other bandits stifled their laughter, appreciating how quickly Stoinis had learned the ways of banditry. They admired the boy's nerve, even if he was asking for a bit more than what might be reasonable.
The butler's lips curled into a slight smile. "A hundred gold?" he echoed, amused. "Why, we were prepared to offer five hundred gold in gratitude for your assistance. A hundred is but a pittance, though we would have been in a tricky situation had you demanded more. After all, we are escorting the City Lord's daughter to the Academy."
Stoinis's eyes widened slightly at the revelation, but he kept his composure. The City Lord's daughter? He hadn't realised, but it was too late to back down now. Garrick's hand rested on Stoinis's shoulder, a quiet gesture of approval. The lad was learning fast.
The butler continued, "Of course, we cannot pay you now. But you are welcome to accompany us to the City Lord's estate. I'm sure he would be most pleased to reward you handsomely."
Garrick frowned slightly, wary of a trap. But then he looked at Stoinis, standing close to the City Lord's daughter—almost as if she were a hostage. It was an unspoken understanding between them: if anything went wrong, they had leverage.
Garrick turned to his men, nodding towards the woods. "You lot head back to the stronghold. No need for all of us in the city." He paused, then added, "Take our horses with you. Stoinis and I will ride in the carriage."
The bandits exchanged glances but did as they were told. Stoinis had suggested it for two reasons: first, they would have to travel by the same carriage as Rianne, the daughter of the city lord. By being close to her, she could be used as a hostage if things went south, and second—a plan he kept to himself for now—it might just be an opportunity to gain a couple more horses.
As the bandits left with their steeds, Garrick motioned to the butler. "Lead the way."
As they made their way towards the city, Stoinis couldn't help but feel a strange sense of excitement. He had never been this close to such wealth and power. The journey was smooth, with the butler occasionally making polite conversation, but mostly, they travelled in silence. The trees thinned as they neared Yinstin, and soon the towering walls of the City Lord's mansion came into view.
The gates opened, revealing a grand courtyard. Servants hurried forward to greet them, and the City Lord himself—a broad-shouldered man with a stern expression—emerged to welcome his daughter.
After a brief exchange, the City Lord turned his attention to Garrick and Stoinis. "I've heard of your deeds," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "It seems I owe you a debt of gratitude for protecting my daughter. You shall be rewarded, as promised."
True to his word, the City Lord handed over a pouch filled with 500 gold pieces. As Garrick accepted it, Stoinis's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The bandits had won more than just coin today—they had made a name for themselves in the city.
As they prepared to leave, the City Lord's butler approached with a final gesture of goodwill. "In addition to the gold, the Lord offers you two fine horses for your journey back," he said, motioning to the sleek animals waiting at the gate.
Stoinis smiled inwardly. This had been his plan all along. Their horses had been taken by their comrades, but now, thanks to his quick thinking, they were returning not just with gold, but with two new steeds as well.
As they rode away from the City Lord's mansion, Garrick gave Stoinis an approving nod. "You did well, boy," he said gruffly. "Smart thinking, that."
Stoinis grinned, feeling a swell of pride. He had played his part perfectly. The bandits had not only gained riches but new horses, and Stoinis had solidified his place in Garrick's eyes.
The road back to their stronghold felt lighter, the wind in their faces and the weight of the gold at their sides. Stoinis knew this was just the beginning. There was much more to come.